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Canadian troops depart for Europe

The Story

December 1939: Canada is at war with Germany and the first of our soldiers are departing for the war in Europe. At a location called (for security reasons) "an eastern port," thousands of Canadian men arrive by train and quickly board five grey ships bound for England.

Did You know?

• The Second World War began on Sept. 1, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later and Canada declared war on Sept. 10.
• After war was declared, Canada readied its coastal defences and mobilized its armed forces, including thousands of volunteers; almost 60,000 men and women enlisted in September alone. The first Canadian troops sailed for Britain on Dec. 10, 1939.

• Over one million Canadians served in the Second World War and approximately 45,000 gave their lives.

Photo: Canada Dept. of National Defence / National Archives of Canada PA-137186